Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team gave the defending national champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire all it could handle Saturday night, but fell 2-1 to the Blugolds. Entering the third period down 2-0 after allowing single goals in each period the Royals outplayed UWEC, which is ranked No. 1 in the USCHO poll, scoring once early on and outshooting them 11-8 but were unable to find the goal they needed to continue the game. Bethel had several great opportunities that were stopped by UWEC goaltender Tyler Green who made 28 saves on the night. Steven Bolton flashed a lot of leather in the net for the Royals making several spectacular glove saves to keep Bethel within striking distance. The loss is the fifth by one goal this season for the Royals who fell to 0-5-1.

Early on the Blugolds showed why they are the No. 1 ranked team as they used their size advantage to gain an early lead. At 6:02 in the first period Ross Anderson scored and the Blugolds added their second goal early in the second period. The Royals and Bolton, who made a total of 24 saves, kept them off the scoreboard the rest of the way, however. Grant Dye was able to punch one home for Bethel 2:06 into the third period. Brock Raffaele and Colin Mayer assisted on the play. The Royals fired in several shots the rest of the way and had some opportunities on rebounds but were just unable to get another score. For the game Bethel outshot UWEC 29-26. Two power plays in the third period for Bethel and five in the game came up empty as UWEC has yet to allow a power play goal on the season.

Following the final horn a scrum led to two minor roughing penalties called on the Blugolds to go along with a minor roughing penalty on Bethel and a major facemasking penalty along with a disqualification on Bethel's Mitch Hughes.

The Royals will take the ice in Moorhead, Minn. next weekend as they travel to face the Concordia College Cobbers in an MIAC matchup. Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m. while Saturday will be a 2 p.m. start.